Machine



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

C. W. WEISS. CHECK PRINTING AND ADDING MACHINE.

No. 458,203. Patented Aug. 25.1891` 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented Aug. 25,1891.

(No-Model.)

C. W. WEISS. CHECK PRINTING AND ADDING MACHINE.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

{No.Model.)

o. w. WEISS. CHECK PRINTING lAND ADDING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

4 Sheets- Sheet 4.

O. W. WEISS. CHECK PRINTINGr AND ADDING MACHINE. No. 458,203.

(No Model.)

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UNITED i STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL XV. IVEISS, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO THE KRUSE CASH REGISTERCOMPANY, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

CHECK-PRINTING AND ADDING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 458,203, dated August25, 1891.

Application tiled April 30, 1891. Serial No. 391,076. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, CARI. W. WEIss, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kingsand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Check-Printing and Adding Machines; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full and exact description thereof, referencebeing had tothe accompanying drawings, and to the letters and Io iigures ofreference marked thereon. making a part of this specification.

Myinvcntion relates to key-operated machines for printing checks andadding and indicating the total sum of the checks issued.

It has for its object to produce a simple machine at low cost in whichthe type for printing shall be adjusted and the adding mechanism andprinting mechanism operated by a single movement of any one of its keys;and it consists in the combination and arrangement of mechanismsubstantially as is hereinafter described and claimed, whereby theobject is attained.

' In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of aportion of my improved check-printing and adding machine; Fig. 2, anirregular vertical cross-section in line .fr fr ot' Fig. 3; Fig. 2:3, ahorizontal section in line y y ot' Fig. 2; Fig. al, a rear elevation ofthe machine with the back plate of its casing removed and its upperplate cut partly in section; Fig. 5, a sectional view showing amodiication of myinvention, the section being 'in a vertical planetransversly to the length of the key-shaft in lineare' of Fig. G; andFig. G a longitudinal section in line yw w of Fig. 5.

Similar letters and numerals indicate like parts in all of the figures.

A' represents the frame-work and case of the machine.

B B B2 B3, the., Figs. 2 to 4, are flat bars or keys arranged to slidehorizontally in parallel rows at. the front of the machine, being madeto extend outward at the front through its face-plate A. Each horizontalrow embraces ten keys, which are severally designated, the iirst by acipherand the remainder by the digital numbers in consecutive order. Thelower row is thus made to represent values by units of cents, the secondin tens, the third units of dollars, and the fourth or upper row as tensot dollars.

rlhe inner ends of the keys in each row pass under two parallel bars CD, superimposed one above the other at a right angle with the keys, andwhich are mounted in suitable ways to slide longitudinally, eachindependently of the other. The two bars are of such length as to beintersected by all the keys in the row. A series of slots e e,corresponding in number with the keys, are cut in the uppermost slidebarC for each row, to extend inwardly from its front edge, and these slotsare all equally inclined in the one direct-ion at an angle of thirtydegrees, more or less. The unt'lerlying slide-bar D for each row islikewise formed with series of slots ff, corresponding in number withthe keys, and which extend inwardly from its front edge; but these slotsf f are, with the single exception of the slot for the cipher-key, whichis not inclined but. is cut at a right angle with the length of theslidebar, severally inclined in an opposite direction from those c e,formed in the upper bar C, and are severally inclined at a differentangle, the pitch being made to increase in regular progression from theslot next the cipher-key to that of highest denomination. Each key-baris fitted with a pin G, adapted to project upward, so as to enter andslide within the corresponding slots in the two slidebars overlying thekey-bar, and as the key-bar is forced inward by pressure upon the heador button I at its outer end the pin, acting as a wedge against theinclined edges of the slots, will operate to move the slotted barslaterally lengthwise in opposite directions a distance proportionate tothe degree of inclination of the respective slots, the return of thebars to their first or normal position when the pressure upon the keysceases being effected automatically by means of suitable springs II II.(See Fig. Since the slots c e in the upper bar C are all inclined to thesame degree and in the same direction it follows that the inwardmovement of each of the keys will move the bar in the one direction andto the rame extent; but as the slotsffin the lower bar D differ in theirinclination the extent of its movement under the action ot'a key willdepend upon the pitch or degree of the'inclination of the slot enteredby thekey. The distance to which the lower slidebar D is moved by thekey by reason of the inclination of the slot therein, which is oppositethe unit-key B in each series, constitutes a unit by which theinclination ot each of the remaining slots in the same bar is governed,so that the distance to which the bar will be moved by the second keyshall be twice that of the unit-key and the distance to which it will bemoved by the third key three times that of the unit-key, aud so on. Thelower bar D is geared by means ot a rack I on its rear edge, at one endthereof, (see Fig. 3,) to a pinion .l on the side of the type-wheel K,bearing type correspondingin character and numbers with thedenominations ot the one series ot` the keys actuating the bar, theadjustment of the gear being such as that the cipher on on thetype-Wheel shall be normally at line ot print. The movement of theunit-key B will then operate to move the type-wheel K far enough tobring the type l to said line of print, and of the second key '32 thetype 2 to line ot` print, &c. A spring-actuated hammerLis pivoted inposition to drop under the action ot a spring connected therewith uponthe type at line of print after being lifted away therefrom, and it isthus lifted at each movement ot' a key by means of the lifting-toe M,pivoted upon the upper slide-bar to project beyond its edge and engagean inclined edge on the arm of the hammer. As the bar moves Vforward thetoe lli will gradually retract the hammer from the periphery ot' thetype-wheel against the stress of a spring N, which controls t-he hammer,until just as the bar is about to complete its stroke the toe reaches apoint at which the edge of the hammer is cut away or the hammer bent toform asharp reentrant angle P, which will permit the hammer to dropinward, under the action of its spring N, against the type-wheel, thespring being so adjusted as to permit a slight recoil of thehammer andits disengage ment from the face ot the type when at rest. The pivotedlifting-toe M is prevented by means of a pin Q, engaging its heel, tromyielding when carried into contact with the inclined edge ot the hammerin making a iorward movement, but is free to yield in the oppositedirection upon the return movement ot' the slide-bar, its normalposition being enforced by means of a spring h (See dotted lines, Fig.An inking-ribbon R is carried in the customary manner over the face ofthe type between twowinding-spools R R', and a suitable opening S isformed in the end of the casing ot` the instrument to permit of thcinsertion of a check for imprint upon the periphery of the type wheel K.A reverse movement of the upper slide-bar C, after it has commenced itsstrokein either direction, is prevented in the usual manner until thestroke is completed by means of a doubletoothed dog T, pivoted to engagewith one or the other oi' its teeth a rack T on the edge of theslide-bar, the dog being held in engagement with the teeth by means of aspringactuated detent U, engaging an angle on the outer edge of the dog.\\"hen the bar is about to complete its stroke, the free tooth on thedog T will strike the end of the rack T, and thereby trip the dog, so asto canse said free tooth to drop into engagement with the rack andliberate the opposite tooth therefrom. The spring actuating the detent Uyields sut 'ticiently to allow the angle on the outer edge ot the dog toshift its position under the detent. The lower differential slide-bar Dof each set of keys is not only geared to the printing-wheel K, but isalso geared to a pinion Y, actuating an indicating and adding wheel Y bymeans of a pivoted rack-bar D', which is held lightly'in engagement withthe pinion by a spring D2. The teeth of the rack-bar D are so inclinedthat they will engage the pinion Y only as the slidc bar D moves:t'orward under the operation of pressure upon a key, but will ridefreely over vthe teeth ot the pinion during the return of; the bar toits tirst or normal position. llence the unit-wheel ot the adding-trainwill be moved by the movement ot' each key a distance proportionate tothe length of movement ot` the slide-bar D, whichin turn will bedetermined, in manner as described,by the denomination ot' theparticular key pressed inward, the cipherkey producing no movement, thenext key of lower denomination moving it the unitdistance,thatot`thenextkeyinordertwieethcunit distance,&c. The shai't Xof each unit-wheel is extended to the top ofthe easingand fittedimmediately under its covering-plate with a disk or dial X', (see Fig.4,) bearing numerals corresponding with the digits on the keys oi theseries with which it is connected, and the covering-plate is providedwith sight-apertures m m, through which the numerals corresponding withthe k cys last played are brought singly into view. The unit-wheels aregeared together in the customary manner known to the art to constitutean addingtrain, a complete revolution ot the unit-wheel for the tirstseries oit keys and their slide-bars operating to move the unit-wheelconnected with the second series ot' keys, and so on. The movement ofthe slide-bars may be steadied by means ot longitudinal slots a in theirends and iixed guide-pins I) entering said slots.

In the operation of the machine constructed, as described, with slidingkey-operated bars, when it is desired to obtain a check for one cent ablank check-strip is inserted through the opening S in the end ot' thecasing and the key B in the lower or unit row representing cents ispushed inward. This movement willL cause the lower slide-bar D to slidelongitudinally in its bearings toward the right-` and thereby operate toturn by the gearing of its rack I with the pinion J the type-wheel K onestep, so as to bring the figure l to line of print, and by means ot' thegearing of its pivoted rack-bar D with the pinion of the adding wheelcause said wheel to move one step. The movement oi' the key will alsocause simultaneously with its movement of lOO ITO

the lower slide-bar D a movement of the u-pper slide-bar C in theopposite direction far enough to carry the toe Mon the edge thereof intoengagement with the hammer L to lift and release it, so that it shallproduce in connection with the inking-ribbon an impression from the typeon the type-wheel at line of print upon the interposed check. So soon asthe pressure upon the key is released the action of the spring willautomatically return the several moving parts to their first or normalposition in readiness for the operation of another key. After themovement of a key has begun the action of the dog T and its detent Uupon the rack T on the slide-bar C will prevent a reverse movement ofthe key until its full stroke is completed, the printing of the checkeffected, the value of the printed check added upon the adding-train tothat of the checks previously issued, and the sum total indicated.

As a modification of my invention I contemplate the use of pivotedoscillating bars and segments as substitutes for sliding bars to actuatethe adding, registering, and printing mechanism by the single movementof any one of the keys, and Figs. 5 and G illustrate my invention inthis form. In these figures I have shown only a portion ot' a completemachine, though sufficient to illustrate my invention fully. It will beunderstood that there are as many series of keys as there aredenominations to be registered-as for cents up to ten, dimes up to onedollar, and dollars from one to ten-and that the several keys of eachseries representthe several digital valuesof the respectivedenomination.In said figures, 10 represents a fixed shaft serving asa pivotal axisfor a series of keys B*, and D* represents a bar carried parallel withthe shaft upon arms 11 11, pivoted between the ends of radial arms 1212, which are themselves pivoted loosely upon the shaft 10 at each endthereof, the arms 11 11 being thus left free to swing at a right anglewith the radial arms. 13 13 are segmentaldisks formed integral with eachkey B* to project from the shaft on the side thereof opposite the outerarm of the key, the periphery of each segment being concentric with theaxis of the shaft. The bar D* rests upon the peripheries of thesegments, each of which is provided with a single peripheral notch 20,cut deep enough to engage and hold the bar, the portion of the segmentinfront of the notch being, however, out away to the depth of the notchupon an arc concentric with the axis of the shaft, leaving but a slightoffset 1t at the front of the notch, sufficient to hold the bar when thesegment is moving backward and yet allow it to be readily disengaged atthe proper moment when moving in said direction. The bar is disengagedfrom the notch in each segment so as to allow the segment to continueits backward movement independently thereof by means of a fixed pin 15,projecting from the casing in position to engage an offset 16, extendingradially from one of the swinging arms 11 over its pivotal connection.The notches in the several key-segments are disposed differentiallyTrelatively to each other and to the fixed pin l5, cach at a distancefrom the pin which, when the several keys are at rest in their first ornormal position, is proportional to the relative denomination or valueof the key with respect to the remaining keys. Thus the distance of thenotch on the segment for the one-cent or unit key is so located as thatit will be the farthest removed from the fixed pin 15 when the keyis atrest, and hence will not engage the barD* until the first ordownwardstroke of the key is nearly completed, and will consequently produce buta comparatively short movement of the bar D*. This movement of the bar,produced by the unit-key, serves as the unit of distance by which todetermine the movements of the bar when actuated by each of theremaining keys, the notch on the segment of the five-cent key beingbrought into engagement with the .bar at a point which will cause it tocarry the bar five times as far as will the unit-key, and so on, thenine-cent key being made to engage the bar at the beginning of itsstroke, so as to carry the bar with it the full dist-ance or nine timesas far as the unit-key. After the bar has been moved forward the fulldistance allowed by the first or downward stroke of either key it isretracted and brought back automatically to its first position by meansof a suitable spring Hi, and in its return movement is disengaged fromeach segment to allow the latter to complete its full return movement bybeing tripped through contact with the stop-pin 15 in manner asdescribed. A reverse movement of either key and of the bar D* in eitherdirection until its full stroke in that direction is completed isprevented by a spring-detent T*, engaging a serrated segment T**,carried by cach key, as shown in Fig. 5. The differential movements ofthe bar D* are made to actuate the type -wheel K* of the printingmechanism by means of a rack-bar 1*, which engages a pinion J* upon theaxis of the typewheel, whereby the movement of the bar D* under theaction of the unit-key will move the wheel one step and bring theunit-type 1 thereon to line of print. The movement of the two-cent keywill carry the type 2 to line of print, the. During the forward movementof the bar D* a pawl D**, pivoted upon the same axis as said bar and atone end thereof, is carried forward freely over a toothed wheel Y* 5 butupon the return movement of the bar the pawl engaging the teeth of thewheel will cause it to move a distance corresponding wit-h that overwhich the bar travels. This toothed wheel Y* is geared to anaddingtrain, so that the value or denomination of each key played isregistered and added upon the return stroke of the key. In the movementof each key the curved segmental finger T**, made to project from thekey-segment in an are concentric therewith, as shown in Fig. 5, isbrought to bear against a rocking plate Miti, from whose axis extends atoe Mt', so that said toe shall be swung I[hereby into contact with theprojecting end of a latch Ppivoted to the arm of a spring-actuatedhammer Liwhich is made to drop,when free, against the type on thetype-wheel K* at line of print. As the toe Mlbears against the latchduring the movement of the key, it will retract the hammer from the typeuntil, as the movement is nearly completed, the toe passes beyond theend of the latch and allows the hammer to drop and produce an imprintfrom the type. The free return of the toe to its first position withoutlnoving the hammer is permitted by thetripping of thelatch Pf. Thus bythe downward movement of any one of the keys the type-wheel is turned tocarry to line of print the type appropriate to the key, and an imprinttherefrom upon a check in-- serted over the type is produced by theaction of the hammer at the close of the move ment, While during thereturn of the key to its original or first position after its releasethe adding mechanism is actuated by the pawl Dit* to register the valueof the key.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, in a check-printing andregistering machine, of a type-wheel, an adding mechanism, an actuatingdevice operating simultaneously both the type-Wheel and adding`mechanism, a printing mechanism, a separate actuating device operatingthe same, and a series of independent keys severally operating at eachcomplete movement thereof both of said actuating devices, whereby thetype-wheel and adding mechanism are severally adjusted and the printingmechanism operated all at a single stroke of any one of the keys,substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination, in a check-printing and registering` machine, of atype-wheel, an adding mechanism, a series of independent keys having thesame uniform movement, a device operated by said keys to adjustsimultaneously both the type-wheel and adding mechanism and the extentof whose movement under the action of each key is determined by therelative position of said key, and a printing mechanism operated by themovement of the key which adjusts the typewheel, substantially in themanner and for the purpose herein set forth.

v3. The combination, in a check-machine, of a longitudinally movingslide-bar having slots differentiallyinclined in the same direcllion, aseries of separate keys moving transversely to the length of the bar andseverally engaging the differential slots, and a typewheel geared to thesliding bar and bearing characters corresponding with those designatingthe several keys, a hammer to co-operate with said type-wheel, and meansto actuate said hammer, substantially in the manner and for the purposeherein set forth.

4. The combination, in a check-machine, of a slid e-bar having slotsdifferentially inclined in the same direction, a series of separate keysmoving transversely to the length of the slide-bar and severallyengaging the differential slots, a type-wheel geared to the sliding barand bearing characters corresponding with those designating the severalkeys, an adding mechanism, and a device gearing the adding mechanism tothe slide-bar while it makes its forward movement but freed therefromupon its return movement, substantially in the manner and for thepurpose herein set forth.

5. The combination, in a check-machine, of a slide-bar having slotsdifferentially inclined in the same direction, a superimposed slidebarhaving slots inclined all at the same angle in a direction opposed tothe inclination of the slots in the underlying slide-bar, the slots inthe two bars being' brought normally in register at their outer ends, aseries of separate keys corresponding in number with the slots in eitherbar moving transversely to the length of the bars and severally engagingeach its corresponding slot in each of the two bars, a type-wheel gearedto the differentiallyslotted bar, a hammer swinging to and from thetype-wheel and having an inclined edge, a spring carrying said hammertoward the type-wheel, and a toe upon the upper slidebar made to engagethe inclined edge of the hammer to lift it until the stroke of the baris nearly completed,substantially in the manner and for the purposeherein set forth.

.ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

y CARL W. WEISS.

Witnesses:

A. N. JEsBERA, A. WIDDER.

IOO

